Description

Description:Maslow says so: Teaching SEL. Students need to feel safe, cared for, and that they belong before they can take responsible learning risks. Discover how Chesterfield PreK teachers and leaders have intentionally crafted every day classroom opportunities for students to connect, build empathy, identify and describe their feelings, develop self-regulation, and problem solve in social situations.

From Superintendent's Memo:

Introduction

In 2014, Virginia received a federal Preschool Development Grant to improve access to high quality preschool opportunities in high-need communities across the Commonwealth in a program known as VPI Plus (VPI+) The participating 13 VPI+ divisions have focused on a number of high-quality system improvements, including the implementation of an evidence-based curriculum, coaching models, family engagement efforts and more.

Pilot Program Overview

This pilot program, known as Showcase PreK in VA, is a unique opportunity for selected VPI+ programs to share promising practices in a particular learning focus area - and to foster collaborative learning networks across the Commonwealth.

This is not about “perfection,” it’s about reflection – and creating the opportunity for educators and leaders to engage meaningfully around a promising practice in the same time and space – a logistical challenge that is a real rarity - especially in early childhood. It’s about acknowledging that often, in getting educators together, “the answer is in the room.”

Visitors to a Showcase day can expect:

A day of interactive professional development experiences (including guided tours and hands-on activities) so they can know, see, do, and reflect on promising practices

To hear from program leaders and early childhood teachers about steps they’ve taken to implement and refine practices and conditions that help at-risk students thrive

Time to plan for implementing relevant elements in their own home programs

Access to curated artifacts and resources to clarify practices and provide support for implementation

Who might benefit?

Intended visiting audiences include early childhood teachers in public and private settings, principals, elementary directors, curriculum and instruction leaders, special education directors, school superintendents, policymakers, and other community stakeholders.

Visitor expectations

In addition to attending a Showcase event prepared to engage and connect with other early childhood professionals, we will ask visitors to:

Plan to provide feedback on the experience via surveys and possibly interviews;

Create a short reflective product following the visit, capturing their learning takeaways, that can be used and shared by VDOE and its VPI+ partners. Details to follow, but minimal time commitment (less than 30 minutes).

Registration process

Space is limited and slots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until all participant spaces are filled. Note that each visit is a stand-alone opportunity, not a cumulative training. Thus register for one date, as content and activities will be repeated three times. Please register for no more than 2 events, so we can accommodate the maximum number of visitors. Waitlists will also be formed once slots are full. While each person must register separately, we invite school, division, community-based, and cross-sector teams to coordinate and attend a common event together. To see all options for Showcase visits and to register, go to bit.ly/showcase1819.

Meals

Breakfast and lunch will be provided to visitors.

Travel Expenses

School divisions are encouraged to cover participants’ travel expenses (e.g., mileage, lodging if applicable) based on state travel rates. The VDOE will not provide reimbursement for participants’ travel expenses.

Contact

Questions regarding the registration process, waitlists, and cancellations should be directed to Laura Heath, Administrative Support for VPI+, via email at Laura.Heath@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-3717. Questions regarding the pilot program should be directed to Dr. Laura Kassner, State Coordinator of VPI+, via email at Laura.Kassner@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-3394.